Apple’s new AI features, collectively known as Apple Intelligence, are not compatible with older iPhones and Macs, according to the company. These features are restricted to the latest models, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, as well as the upcoming iPhone 16. However, a wider range of Macs and iPads are eligible to run these features if they have an M1 chip, which includes models released in recent years.
During an interview with John Gruber after Apple’s WWDC event, Apple’s head of AI strategy and machine learning, John Giannandrea, explained that although the AI model could technically run on older devices, it would be too slow to be practical. The decision to limit the feature to newer devices is not an arbitrary attempt to boost smartphone sales but rather reflects the limitations of older hardware. The latest iPhones, with their A17 chips and Apple Neural Engine, are better equipped to handle the computational demands of Apple Intelligence.
The new iPhones also have more RAM than previous models, which is essential for running generative AI features on the device. This hardware constraint is a key factor in determining which devices are compatible with the new AI features. While Apple maintains that the restriction is not intended to drive sales but rather reflects hardware limitations of older devices. However, encouraging customers to upgrade their old devices could be beneficial for the company considering declining sales of iPhones year over year.
Apple Intelligence will be available for free to users and is expected to launch in the fall with iOS 18 and the new iPhone lineup. This technology promises to bring advanced AI capabilities to Apple devices but users will need compatible hardware such as A17 chips or later models of Macs and iPads with M1 chips installed to take advantage of these new features.
In conclusion while some may view this move negatively as limiting customer choices it seems like a necessary step towards ensuring optimal performance for these cutting-edge technologies.
